How to set up WordPress Multisite

What is Multisite?

Multisite is a built-in WordPress feature. One install holds a "network" of sites. You have one dashboard, one set of plugins and one set of themes to look after. It is like a building with many flats under one roof and one caretaker.

It suits schools, companies with many branches or a blog network. Each site can still have its own content and users.

Before you start

Choose how sites are addressed:

• Sub-directories, for example example.com/shop.
• Sub-domains, for example shop.example.com. This needs a wildcard DNS record. DNS is the internet's phone book. A wildcard record sends all sub-domain names to your site. Ask Hostvento support if you need help with it.

An older site with existing posts may be limited to sub-domains only. A new install can use either.

Step 1: Allow Multisite

1. Open File Manager in your control panel.
2. Edit wp-config.php.
3. Above the line that says "That's all, stop editing", add the line below.

   

4. Save the file.

define( 'WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true );

Step 2: Install the network

1. Log in to the dashboard.

   

2. Go to Tools and then Network Setup.
3. Pick sub-domains or sub-directories.
4. Type a network title and your admin email.
5. Click Install.

Step 3: Add the code WordPress gives you

WordPress now shows two blocks of code. Copy each one carefully.

1. Paste the first block into wp-config.php, above the "stop editing" line.
2. Open .htaccess in the same folder. Turn on hidden files if it does not show.
3. Replace the old WordPress rules with the second block.

   

4. Save both files.
5. Log in again.

Step 4: Add a new site

1. Go to My Sites and then Network Admin.

   

2. Click Sites and then Add New.

   

3. Type the site address, title and admin email.
4. Click Add Site.

Manage the network

In Network Admin you add themes, install plugins for all sites and manage users. Only a "Super Admin" can do these.

Quick recap

• Multisite runs many sites from one install.
• Back up and turn off plugins first.
• Add the allow line, run Network Setup, then paste the two code blocks.
• Add sites in Network Admin.